Champion Building Materials South Flagship Store | Er Yu Design Co., Ltd | World Design Awards 2024

Er Yu Design Co., Ltd: Winner of World Design Awards 2024. INSPIRATION / IDEA Champion Tile is a well-known tile manufacturer in Taiwan with a history of more than 50 years. Its three brands – Champion Tile, Marcobelli, and M-living- present their own characteristics and style aesthetics, giving rise to a spacious exhibition center. Product applications range from residential to public spaces. The exhibition center aims to provide comprehensive solutions to meet the practical needs of customers in the southern Taiwan, and to convey the brand’s warm and life-affirming imagery, so as to draw a closer relationship with each target group

UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION／DIFFERENTIATION	●Arranging Circulation in Accordance with Brand Differentiation In line with branding, there are three routes for customers to choose freely according to their needs. Each space incorporates three-dimensional, multi-material displays to create an immersive experience. Customers are able to see each material in action. A material area is set up at the intersection of the three zones, allowing customers to view the details of their preferred items once again. ●Central Skeleton Extend the View The project is based on the concepts of a hotel and a reception hall, creating an atmosphere of comfort and style. The central skeleton of the building allows the ceiling height to extend upwards to enlarge the scale of the space. The corridors and windows on the second floor enhance the variety, taste and sophistication of the displays, giving people the illusion of being in a department store. Taking into account the different tones of Champion Tile and Macbeth, the designer built a tea house with an oriental flavor and a coffee bar with an exotic atmosphere to unify the brand’s style.
PRODUCTION OR REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY (AND MATERIALS)	Materials: tiles, indirect lighting, wiring boards, etc. To highlight the products in the exhibition center, the designer used white as the base to emphasize the material and characteristics of the tiles. The main demand of the commercial space for displaying and selling products is satisfied. The designer chose the of tiles to complement the products when delineating the use of the space. The unique style, which is not specific but not contradictory, emphasizes the charm of the brands.
SPECIFICATIONS / DIMENSIONS / PACKAGE / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES	The 1,322.3 square meter site is a two-story building on private land. Its single level is 1,322.3 square meters. The space is mainly divided into a reception area, a display area for the Champion Tile/ Marcobelli/ M-living, offices and medium/large meeting rooms. The project’s exhibition and office functions are combined into one, making work smoother. The center is openworked to increase spaciousness. Excluding the meeting room, which needs privacy, the relatively high proportion of open plan reduces the sense of oppression and creates a grandeur.
CHALLENGE	The large space provides a high degree of flexibility for the three brands. It was a challenge not to repeat the use of tiles while shaping the living context and at the same time highlighting the most distinctive features and practicality. Tiles are gradually transforming themselves from a practical building material to a decorative one. Interpreting this core concept in the exhibition space became a necessity. For example, large-scale panels with a fine texture and elegant aesthetic can be used in more areas of the home.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION／FUNCTION	Compared to northern Taiwan, where imported brands and commercial spaces are easy to access, it is more difficult for consumers in the southern part of the country to access sources of inspiration and resources. The presentation and display of the exhibition center solves the pain point of not being able to visualize. Visitors can learn more about the feature of tiles and find the type of product that meets their needs. For the owner, the exhibition center not only increase turnover, but also increase acceptance of the new product, fulfilling the original purpose of the flagship store in the South and achieving a win-win situation.
FORM	“Modern hotel style interprets the harmonious aesthetics of East meets West”. The stone pattern and lighting in the open and high-ceilinged reception hall display a noble, elegant and restrained atmosphere. Stylized lamps and greenery add a sense of relaxation to the space. Well-organized images, tiles and furnishings create layers and new ideas. One forgets that one has come to a tile exhibition center, but rather to an art exhibition. The most impressive part is the round bar. The terrazzo countertops and concrete tables are engraved with the Champion logo, a symbol of the brand’s spirit and a timelessness. The light outlines the contours of each detail. Instead of letting the coffee bar from the West stand out, the teahouse elements in oriental colors create a balance between the East and the West.
RESEARCH ABSTRACT	The project is a tile exhibition center covering an area of 2,644.6 square meters. The owner’s request is to display the products faithfully and allow visitors to find the right items quickly. The designer used materials developed by the brand to build the project. The high ceilings of the reception area and the stone pattern give the space a sense of prestige and honor like a high-class hotel. Next, the designer planned three main routes to match the three brand zones. Unlike the traditional flat presentation of tiles, the three-dimensional window design creates an everyday living scene, allowing people to peek into the world of tiles. This approach integrates commercial branding with interior design. Taking into account the needs of the staff, in addition to the office, there is a medium-sized and a large meeting room. The two meeting rooms are separated by sliding doors to serve different numbers of participants to ensure spaciousness and comfort. The lounge area allows staff to take a break from their busy schedules and enjoy a cup of tea before moving on.

IMPACT /SUSTAINABILITY

Most of the brand’s products are with the green building label. The method also echoes the trend of health and sustainability. The Green Building Materials Exhibition Center raises environmental awareness of sustainable carbon reduction and makes it easier for consumers to purchase and thus increase the use of green building materials. The project makes changes in production and consumption simultaneously, moving towards green living step by step. The exterior walls are covered with 2cm thick tiles instead of ordinary tiles or natural granite. The thick tiles are made by the elevated method for heat-insulating and waterproofing layers, and are highly recyclable, effectively curbing the consumption of building materials. To save electricity and energy, the designer installed an inverter air conditioner with automatic temperature adjustment. Long service life LED lights replace halogen lamps and spotlights to meet lighting needs, reduce the frequency of replacement, minimize waste of resources, and save costs in the long run.